Africa-Press. The “SOS Education” movement, which has been leading a teachers’ strike in Gabon for six weeks and has paralyzed the country’s education system, announced its readiness to begin official negotiations with the government under the auspices of the mediator appointed by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, provided that the prerequisites set by the movement for the resumption of classes are met.
This was announced during the movement’s general assembly held in the capital, Libreville, where the striking teachers unanimously approved the president’s appointment of a mediator to facilitate talks between the two sides.
Member of Parliament Jean Gaspard Ntoutoume Ayi explained during the meeting that “dialogue between the government and the ‘SOS Education’ movement has collapsed, making the need for a mediator clear. The head of state therefore appointed me,” stressing the need to release union leaders before embarking on any negotiations.
Professor Mayima, one of the movement’s leaders, pointed out that one of the main prerequisites for resuming classes is the release of Marcel Libama and Simon Ndong Edzo, two union members who were imprisoned for supporting the strike. She said: “We want the government to take the initiative to release the detainees so that we can begin negotiations.”
The movement also revealed that it has appointed nine negotiators, each representing one of Gabon’s nine provinces, including Honorine Angui Mintsa, who stated: “We have received an offer to begin negotiations on a protocol to end the crisis. Once all members of the movement approve the protocol, we will end or suspend the movement and return to the classrooms.”
For her part, the Minister of National Education, Carmélia Ntoutoume Leclercq, confirmed that she has held several meetings with school principals aimed at reopening closed schools, explaining that the goal is to “save Gabonese schools from losing an entire academic year,” despite the unions’ continued insistence on conditions before classes resume.
